WAGON WHEEL (DARIUS RUCKER)
GUITAR LESSON
Original Tempo: 148bpm | Video Tempo: 90bpm | Capo: 2nd Fret
Learn how to play Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker with this beginner-friendly guitar lesson. In the video below, I’ll guide you through the capo on 2nd fret, the main open chord progression, and a simplified strumming pattern to keep things accessible for new players. On this page, you’ll also find clear chord diagrams, beginner strumming tips, and a detailed chord guide with timestamps so you can follow along step by step. Whether you’re learning your first country song or adding a campfire classic to your list, this lesson will help you play Wagon Wheel with confidence.
CHORDS
STRUMMING PATTERN
CHORD GUIDE
INTRO (0:00)
|G |D |Em |C |
|G |D |C |C |
VERSE 1 (0:19)
G D
Heading down south to the land of the pines
Em C
I'm thumbing my way into North Caroline
G D C
Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights
G D
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Em C
Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
G D C
And I'm a-hopin' for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight
CHORUS 1 (0:45)
G D
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Em C
Rock me momma any way you feel
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
G D
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Em C
Rock me momma like a south bound train
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
INTRO 2 (1:11)
|G |D |Em |C |
|G |D |C |C |
VERSE 2 (1:24)
G D
Runnin' from the cold up in New England
Em C
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time string band
G D C
My baby plays the guitar, I pick a banjo now
G D
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me down
Em C
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to leave town
G D C
But I ain't a turnin' back to livin' that old life no more
CHORUS 2 (1:49)
G D
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Em C
Rock me momma any way you feel
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
G D
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Em C
Rock me momma like a south bound train
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
VIOLIN SOLO (2:16)
|G |D |Em |C |
|G |D |C |C |
GUITAR SOLO (2:28)
|G |D |Em |C |
|G |D |C |C |
VERSE 3 (2:41) / QUIET VERSE
G D
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
Em C
I caught a trucker out of Philly Had a nice long toke
G D
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
C C
To Johnson City, Tennessee
G D
And I gotta get a move on before the sun
Em
I hear my baby callin' my name
C
And I know that she's the only one
G D C
And if I die in Raleigh at least I will die free
CHORUS 3 (3:07) /HALF TIME FEEL
G D
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Em C
Rock me momma any way you feel
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
G D
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Em C
Rock me momma like a south bound train
G D C
Hey, momma rock me
CHORUS 4 (3:34)
OUTRO/VIOLIN (4:00)
Copyright Disclaimer
This file is the authors work and represents my interpretation of the song. It is intended solely for private study, scholarship, or research. The chord charts and lesson sheets provided are simplified resources to support online learning. For official sheet music, I highly recommend purchasing from licensed publishers such as Hal Leonard or Musicnotes.